Flytippers could find themselves hit with a £400 fine under new rules.

From May 9, Dartford council will be able to issue higher rate fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for fly tipping, leaving offenders up to £400 out of pocket.

The maximum fine will be issued unless litter louts pay within 10 days, in which case it will be reduced to £250.

It comes after the government approved the introduction of new legislation to help local authorities tackle the problem.

There were almost 300 flytipping incidents in Dartford last year, yet the council was only able to issue five FPNs.

In 2014, there were 329 incidents and just six FPNs – and in 2013, 226 incidents resulted in a single FPN being handed out.

"This will create a safer borough in which to live, work and socialise." Dartford council.

Each FPN amounted to an £80 fine, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days.

A council spokesman said the heftier fines would ‘properly reflect the damage to the environment and local community, the cost to the local authority in clearing the waste material and detecting the offence, and act as a deterrent’.

It is also hoped that they will help reduce anti-social behaviour and ‘create a safer borough in which to live, work and socialise’.

Officers have the power to issue an on-the-spot £75 fine to anyone caught dropping cigarette butts, plastic bags, cans and other rubbish.